Effects of Shani - Part II

In the first article in the series we learned about the planet Saturn, it's science and it's mythology. Now let's focus on the planet from an astrological point of view.

Shani is the most infamous planet in Astrology. The name itself strikes such fear in the minds of people that they panic or get severely depressed, which may be misused by some unscrupulous folks. But is it the truth? It is logical that no planet by itself is good or bad!

People think Saturn always brings hardship and failure, which is far from the truth. Actually, Shani is known as the "judge" among all the planets. It will give you results based exactly on your past karma. If you have performed good karma, it will give you good results, otherwise not. Only if you have put in proper amount of effort, will you succeed.

Nature and Characteristics of Shani

Shani by nature is a perfectionist, a builder. Shani is strict and likes those who follow his "rules". Shani likes to test a persons courage by making them come face to face with realities of life. Shani is a sage, a philosopher, a devotee of Shiva, and a deep thinker. Shani is not materialistic. A person under the influence of Shani will be driven away from materialistic things and towards philosophy and spirituality. It will make the person hardworking, disciplined, persistent, responsible and emotionally strong.

Shani is the lord of two zodiac signs - Makar (Capricorn) and Kumbh (Aquarius). Shani transits around the full zodiac in approximately 30 years. So, it remains approximately 2.5 years in a single sign. When Shani transits through a sign, it brings new changes and discards all old and rudimentary ideas and starts a new chapter in the person's life.

Transit of Shani in Ascendant (First House)

One of our readers asked a question about Shani's effect when it transits the Ascendant. Ascendant is located in the First house (Pratham Bhava) of a horoscope.

So, what does the first house represent? It represents the personality, health, appearance and character of a person. Hence, when Shani transits through first house, a person will get affected in above matters.

According to Vedic Astrology, Saturn aspects three houses - third, seventh and tenth house from the house it occupies. That means, Shani will also affect these three houses apart from the first house when it is transiting through the first house. Here is what the three houses represent:

So these aspects will also get affected when Saturn transits the first house, but not necessarily in a negative way. The nature of effect totally depends on horoscope of a person. Specifically:

1. Lagna (ascendant) of the birth chart2. Location of Saturn in the birth chart and it's lordship3. Effects of dashas (periods)4. "Power" in the horoscope - If a birth chart is powerful, a person may withstand really bad times and still come out on top.

In the next article in this series, we will tell you some examples of how Shani effects these aspects and how to remedy the bad influence.